Satellite fire stations in limbo in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: Even with the density of houses in the city and traffic snarls increasing, the state rests on the two years old proposal to start new satellite fire stations. The plan was to have stations comprising five firefighters with mini firefighting trucks in 36 places. The city was to get six new fire stations at Attukal, Medical College, Pallichal, Beemapally, Veli and Muttathara.

The densities of traffic in the city during peak hours often delay the swiftness in reaching out to interior locations that surround these areas. “In Chenkalchoola station alone we get close to 10 distress call daily. If the existing forces are redeployed, that could reduce the response time. However there is a shortage of over 600 firefighters in the department which has to be filled,” said a senior official. In 2014, the plan was to start satellite stations by attracting corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds from private companies. Getting space for a satellite station in many localities was difficult.

“Some of the places like Medical College and Attukal have space available. Negotiations needed in others, especially Muttathara. With highway development, high-speed crashes should anticipate at many places, and we will need to rush in with hydraulic rescue tools and stuff,” official added. New Fire and Rescue Services DGP A Hemachandran said there are no satellite station projects which are under implementation now.